Spine shaped shower unit

ABSTRACT

A shower system provides a shower unit having a spine shaped edge which permits a standing bather to lean against the shower unit to provide back and lumbar support while various rotational shower heads provide spray jet and massage action.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shower unit, and more particularly to a spin-shaped shower unit which provides a massaging action within a shower.

Oversized luxury showers and accessories are becoming increasing desirable in new construction and bathroom renovations. Such showers typically include one or more multi-function showerheads which are individually mounted to a ceiling or wall of the shower. Each showerhead typically provides a plurality of spray modes, including various standard sprays and pulsed sprays. Multi-function showerheads may also have flow control valves to allow the user to adjust the flow pressure to a desired level.

Although somewhat effective in providing a desired shower experience, conventional showers may lack various massage and bathing features more common to a whirlpool tub.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a shower which provides the massage and bathing features commonly associated with a tub environment without the time requirements associated with filling a relatively large tub.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shower system according to the present invention provides a shower unit having a spine shaped edge which extends in a triangular manner from a shower wall. Such construction permits a standing bather to lean against the shower unit that provides back and lumbar support while various showerheads provide spray jet and massage action.

The showerheads include a multiple of bristles, water jet sprays, and foaming apertures. The showerheads rotate to provide a massaging and scrubbing action.

The present invention therefore provides a shower system that provides massage and bathing features commonly associated with tub environment without the time requirements associated with filling a relatively large tub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a shower unit designed according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of view of the shower unit located upon a shower wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a general perspective view of a shower system 10 which is preferably mountable to a wall 11 of a shower 15 or tub surround. It should be understood that not only showers, but relatively deeper tubs and the like, will also benefit from the present invention. It should also be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other arrangements, e.g. molded surround or tiled construction will benefit from the instant invention.

The shower system 10 preferably includes a shower unit 12 having a spine shaped edge 16 which extends in a triangular manner into opposed shower unit walls 14. That is, the shower unit 12 is generally of a triangular shape in which the apex of the triangle includes the spine-shaped edge. Such construction permits a standing bather in the shower 15 to lean against the shower unit 12 which then provides back and lumbar support while various showerheads 18A-18C provide spray jet and massage action as will be further described. Most preferably, the shower unit 12 is manufactured of relatively soft resilient materials such as a semi-rigid waterproof foam to cushion a bather leaning thereupon. Alternatively, the spine-shaped edge 16 alone is manufactured of the relatively softer construction to provide the cushion effect.

The showerheads 18A-18C are preferably rotational. At least one of the showerheads 18A-18C is a scrubber head which includes a multiple of bristles 20 and foaming apertures 22. The showerheads 18A-18C rotate (as indicated by arrows R; FIG. 2) to provide a messaging and scrubbing action as well as dispense soapsuds from the foaming apertures 22. It should be understood that rotation in either or both directions as well as movement other than rotation such as vibratory motion will also be usable with the present invention.

The showerheads 18A-18C are rotated by a drive system 26 (illustrated schematically in FIG. 2). The drive system 26 may be a mechanical system in which gears and a battery-powered motor drive the showerheads 18A-18C. One of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of the teaching contained herein will be able to readily incorporate various gear drive systems within the shower unit to provide the desired rotational movement. Alternatively, the drive system 26 may be a hydraulic system in which water pressure from a water supply is utilized to rotate the showerheads 18A-18C though a hydraulic-type action. By utilizing water pressure, the showerheads 18A-18C may be both supplied and driven by water which thereby reduces installation complexity. One of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of the teachings contained herein will be able to readily incorporate hydraulic drive systems within a shower unit to provide the desired rotational movement. It should be understood that still other various drive systems will be usable with the present invention.

At least one of the showerheads 18A-18C provides a selective shower of water through water jets 24 in a plurality of spray modes, including various standard sprays and pulsed sprays. The showerheads 18C, 18D are preferably rotational spray heads which dispense jets of water which likewise provide a massage effect. It should be understood that various combinations of rotation, agitation and multi-function spray and jetting action may be incorporated into each showerhead 18A-18C to provide various sensations to a bather leaning against the shower unit 10.

The showerheads 18A-18C are preferably located in specific areas to provide water jetting to specific areas of a bather. The showerheads 18A-18C may be adjustable to direct the spray to desired locations or may alternatively be specifically located in particular locations of the shower unit 12. The triangular spin-shape of the shower unit readily provides spray direction appropriate to direct and coordinate the spray patterns to such otherwise unattended areas of a bather. A directed massage action is thereby readily achieved.

The shower unit 12 receives water from a wall supply and various controls (illustrated schematically at 28) provide individual control of water flow and movement of each of the showerheads 18A-18C. As the shower unit 12 supports the water spraying operations, installation is readily facilitated.

It should be understood that relative positional terms such as “forward,” “aft,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like are with reference to the normal operational attitude of the vehicle and should not be considered otherwise limiting.

Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present invention.

The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention. 

1. A shower system comprising: a shower unit defining a spine-shaped edge.
 2. The shower unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said spine-shaped edge is manufactured of a resilient material.
 3. The shower unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said shower unit is manufactured of a resilient material.
 4. The shower unit as recited in claim 1, further comprising a showerhead rotationally mounted within said shower unit.
 5. The shower unit as recited in claim 1, further comprising a scrubbing head rotationally mounted within said shower unit.
 6. The shower unit as recited in claim 5, further comprising a brush extending from said scrubbing head.
 7. The shower unit as recited in claim 5, further comprising a foaming aperture located within said scrubbing head to dispense a soap therefrom.
 8. A shower comprising: a shower wall; a shower unit defining a spine-shaped edge mounted to said shower wall; and a multitude of showerheads rotationally mounted to said shower unit.
 9. The shower as recited in claim 8, further comprising a mechanical drive system contained within the shower unit to rotationally drive said multitude of showerheads.
 10. The shower as recited in claim 8, further comprising a hydraulically drive system contained within the shower unit to rotationally drive said multitude of showerheads.
 11. A method of showering water within a shower comprising the steps of: (1) providing a shower unit within a shower which a standing bather leans against; and (2) showering water from a showerhead located within the shower unit to shower the bather.
 12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein said step (1) further comprises conforming the shower unit to the bather's back when the bather leans thereon.
 13. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein said step (1) further comprises cushioning the shower unit for the bather's back.
 14. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein said step (2) further comprises rotating the showerhead relative the shower unit to rotate a shower spray.
 15. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein said step (2) further comprises rotating the showerhead relative the shower unit to scrub the bather as the bather is leaning thereon.
 16. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein said step (2) further comprises dispensing soapsuds from the showerhead. 